JD Hancock Photos

Captain Han Solo vs. Captain America Setup

This is the setup photo for Captain Han Solo vs. Captain America.

Apologizes for leaving the backlighting on for this setup photo. It often blows out on my iPhone camera.

The backdrop is made of two sheets of scrapbooking paper held in place with sticky notes. Han’s backdrop has a leathery look, while Cap’s backdrop is a very glittery blue.

Both figures stand on a one-by-two foot sheet of clear acryilic. This reflective "floor" serves two purposes: (1) help emphasize that the carbonite is floating by showing a reflection below it and (2) protect my wooden "stage" from the melting ice!

The figures are lit with a single push-light to the right of the camera. Han is back-lit with two incandescent flashlights aimed at a sticky note target behind him. Cap is back-lit with a push-LED mounted in a clear plastic cup.

Han receives additional lighting from above with a makeshift rig comprised of clear plastic cups, a ruler, push-LEDs, and some tape. The overhead light is inspired by similar lighting on the wall of Jabba’s palace, and the blue tint was intended to help the plastic look more like metal. Han is suspended with invisible thread from this rig as well. The "retouch" tool in iPhoto helped hide the thread.

Cap was frozen by placing him in the clear, classic-style packaging of a Star Wars figure filled with water and placed in the freezer.

Above the scene a large circular diffuser (not shown) softens the ambient light in the room. A dark strip of fabric (not shown) is positioned just above the backdrop to darken it a bit.

To get a closer look at the equipment I use, check out my Gear series.